U.S. patent application number 15/341495 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for roll-up tonneau cover system with grooved side rails.
This patent application is currently assigned to Retrax Holdings, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Retrax Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to William R. COHOON, Joseph J. KOENGETER, Lucas R. SPRAY.
Application Number | 20180118002 15/341495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62020937 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180118002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOENGETER; Joseph J. ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
ROLL-UP TONNEAU COVER SYSTEM WITH GROOVED SIDE RAILS
Abstract
Side rails can include a longitudinally extending rail track
having support surfaces and a plurality of longitudinally extending
linear grooves. A storage housing can provide storage tracks in
alignment with the forward end of the rail tracks. In addition, a
roll-up tonneau cover can include a plurality of slats pivotally
connected together. Corresponding first and second sides of the
slats can be supported above the grooves on a respective one of the
support surfaces of the rail tracks. The slats can be movable along
the support surfaces between a storage arrangement wherein the
slats are supported by the storage tracks to provide access to the
cargo box, and a deployed arrangement wherein the slats are
supported by the support surfaces of the rail tracks to cover the
cargo box.
Inventors: |
KOENGETER; Joseph J.;
(Chelsea, MI) ; SPRAY; Lucas R.; (Grand Forks,
ND) ; COHOON; William R.; (Whitmore Lake,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Retrax Holdings, LLC |
Grand Forks |
ND |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Retrax Holdings, LLC
Grand Forks
ND
|
Family ID: |
62020937 |
Appl. No.: |
15/341495 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/196 20130101;
B60J 7/041 20130101; B60J 7/068 20130101; B60P 7/02 20130101; B60J
10/277 20160201 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/04 20060101
B60J007/04; B60J 7/19 20060101 B60J007/19; B60J 10/277 20060101
B60J010/277 |
Claims
1. A tonneau cover system for a truck cargo box including a forward
end and a rear end, and first and second side walls therebetween,
the tonneau cover system comprising: at least one side rail
attachable along one of the side walls of the cargo box, the at
least one side rail having a forward end comprising a rail track
having a support surface and a plurality of linear grooves
extending longitudinally along the side rail; a storage track
attachable adjacent the forward end of the cargo box with the
storage track in alignment with the rail track; a roll-up tonneau
cover comprising a plurality of slats pivotally connected together
and with first ends of the slats being supportable above the
grooves of the rail track on the support surface, and being movable
along the support surfaces between a storage arrangement wherein
the slats are supported by the storage tracks to provide access to
the cargo box, and a deployed arrangement wherein the slats are
supported by the support surfaces to cover the cargo box.
2. The tonneau cover system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
side rail comprises two side rails and the storage track comprises
two storage tracks.
3. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the slats comprise
end caps coupled to extruded elongate bodies.
4. The tonneau cover system of claim 3, wherein the end caps have a
bearing surface that engages and slides along the support surface
and above the grooves of the rail tracks.
5. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein each side rail
further comprises a longitudinally extending water retention lip
positioned inboard, adjacent and extending higher than the support
surface of the rail track.
6. The tonneau cover system of claim 5, wherein the slats comprise
end caps including bearing surfaces slidable along the support
surfaces of the rail tracks of the side rails, and further wherein
the slats comprise a lower face surface adjacent the end caps, and
wherein the bearing surfaces are positioned below the lower face
surface of the slats by a distance sufficient to space the lower
face surface above the water retention lip.
7. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the slats comprise
wheels that engage and roll along the support surfaces and above
the grooves of the rail tracks of the side rails.
8. The tonneau cover system of claim 7, wherein the slats comprise
extruded bodies with the wheels being coupled to the extruded
bodies.
9. The tonneau cover system of claim 7, wherein each side rail
further comprises a longitudinally extending water retention lip
positioned inboard, adjacent and extending higher than the support
surface of the rail track, and further wherein the wheels have a
radius, and the slats comprise a lower face surface adjacent the
wheels, and wherein the radius of the wheels is sufficient to
position the lower face surface of the slats above the water
retention lip.
10. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the support
surfaces of the rail tracks define metal contact areas that engage
against the slats.
11. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the support
surfaces comprise a plurality of substantially planar metal support
surfaces that are spaced apart by the grooves of the rail
tracks.
12. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the support
surfaces comprise a plurality of metal parallel support surfaces
spaced apart by the grooves, of the rail tracks, and wherein the
grooves and the support surfaces have corresponding triangular
cross-sectional shapes.
13. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the side rails
additionally comprise a top wall positioned a height distance above
the support surfaces of the rail tracks, and wherein the slats
include a forward slat having end caps with a corresponding height
dimension that is greater than the height distance between the
support surface and the top wall and is greater than the height
dimension of end caps of other slats, and further wherein
engagement of the end caps of the forward slat against the top wall
prevents complete removal of the tonneau cover from the storage
tracks.
14. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein the storage tracks
are incorporated into a storage housing.
15. The tonneau cover system of claim 14, wherein the storage
housing includes first and second side rail couplings protruding
from a rearwardly-facing surface of the storage housing.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to roll-up tonneau cover
systems for covering a cargo box of a pickup truck and, more
particularly, to such systems including tonneau covers with slats
that are movable along supporting side rails.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Trucks such as pickups having an open top cargo box can be a
quite popular type of vehicle because the cargo box enables objects
of various sizes to be placed therein and transported. Tonneau
cover systems can be used to cover the top of cargo box in a
deployed or closed arrangement to protect the contents against
dirt, debris, and other environmental contaminants, and to improve
the aesthetic quality thereof. In some cases, the tonneau covers
can be formed of a plurality of slats hingedly coupled together so
they can be rolled-up into a compact, storage, or open arrangement
at the front of the cargo box, to allow access to the cargo box.
For example, such tonneau covers can be supported in a storage
housing positioned adjacent the forward end of the cargo box in the
open arrangement.
[0004] When in the deployed or closed arrangement, tonneau covers
can be supported on longitudinally extending ledges or surfaces of
a pair of side rails coupled along the side walls of the pick-up
truck. Different arrangements can be used to facilitate the tonneau
cover moving along the side rail surfaces between the deployed and
storage arrangements. For example, wheels that roll along the
surfaces of the side rails can be coupled to the ends of the slats.
As another example, the tonneau cover can engage against and slide
along separate non-metallic components coupled to the metal side
rails. Both of these options require additional components to
facilitate the movement along the side rail surfaces.
[0005] One problem with conventional covers is that water that
accumulates on the tracks, for example, due to washing the truck,
or rain, or snow, or other environmental conditions, can interfere
with travel of the slats along the rails. In addition, movement of
the slats can cause unwanted splashing into the truck bed of excess
water that has accumulated on the tracks, potentially damaging the
cargo therein. Still further, during cold winter weather
conditions, accumulated water on the tracks can freeze, causing the
tonneau cover to bind during opening or closing. Thus, it is
desired to improve water management of the rail tracks in tonneau
covers having slats that slide or roll over the side rails.
SUMMARY
[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a tonneau cover
system for a truck cargo box including a forward end and a rear
end, and first and second side walls therebetween can be provided.
The tonneau cover system can include at least one side rails
attachable along one of the side walls of the cargo box. The at
least one side rail can have a forward end and can comprise a rail
track having a support surface and a plurality of linear grooves
extending longitudinally along the side rail. The system can
include a storage track that is attachable adjacent the forward end
of the cargo box with the storage track in alignment with the rail
track. A roll-up tonneau cover can include a plurality of slats
pivotally connected together and with first ends of the slats being
supportable above the grooves of the rail track on the support
surface. The tonneau cover can be movable along the support
surfaces between a storage arrangement wherein the slats are
supported by the storage tracks to provide access to the cargo box,
and a deployed arrangement wherein the slats are supported by the
support surfaces to cover the cargo box.
[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example tonneau cover
system in accordance with the present disclosure, illustrated in a
closed or deployed arrangement over a truck box of a pickup truck
(shown in dashed lines).
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with the
tonneau cover illustrated in an open or storage arrangement.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of one example
tonneau cover system showing a tonneau cover supported by, and
slidable along, side rails.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example tonneau
cover system with a tonneau cover supported by, and rollable along,
side rails.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial exploded perspective view of
various components of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view of various
components of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the storage tracks and
storage housing of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] As depicted throughout the figures, an example of a tonneau
cover system for a truck bed or cargo box 11 of the present
disclosure is generally indicated at 20. In some cases, the truck
bed or cargo box 11 can be part of a pickup truck 13 as shown.
Briefly, the cargo box 11 can comprise a lateral or transverse
forward or front wall 15 and a lateral or transverse rear wall or
tailgate 17 with a pair of opposing longitudinal side walls 19
extending therebetween.
[0021] The tonneau cover system 20 can include a tonneau cover 22
and a pair of side rails 24 for coupling to and along the side
walls 19 of the truck box 11. The tonneau cover 22 can include a
plurality of slats 26 hingedly coupled together and supportable on
the side rails 24 when the side rails 24 are coupled to the side
walls 19 of a cargo box 11. The truck bed system can additionally
include a storage track 44, which can be provided as part of a
storage housing 28 for coupling to the cargo box 11 adjacent its
forward wall 15 to receive the tonneau cover in an open, storage
arrangement shown in FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example tonneau cover system 20 in a
closed, deployed arrangement. FIG. 2 illustrates the example
tonneau cover system 20 in the open, storage arrangement. In the
example embodiments, the tonneau cover 22 engages and moves along a
supporting surface or rail track 30 of the side rails 24. The rail
track 30 can comprise a plurality of support surfaces or contact
areas 32 separated by linear grooves 34. Thus, the slats 26,
comprising extruded bodies 36 and end caps 40, of the tonneau cover
22 are engaged directly against and supported on the rail tracks 30
as the tonneau cover 22 moves along the side rails 24 between the
open and closed arrangements. In other words, these side rail
tracks 30 provide multiple supporting engagement or direct contact
areas or support surfaces 32 between the side rail 24 and the
tonneau cover 22.
[0023] In some embodiments, the side rails 24 can include a
longitudinally extending gutter 74 along the outboard side of the
support surfaces of the rail track 30. In some embodiments, the
side rails 24 can be extruded metal or plastic members, such that
the rail track 30, including the grooves 34 and the contact areas
or support surfaces 32, are all part of a one-piece component.
Thus, the grooves 34 and contact areas 32 can extend the entire
longitudinal length of the side rails 24. Such a one-piece
component can additionally include any combination of the
additional side rail features described below, such as the
longitudinally extending water retention lip 60, the storage
housing coupling channel 54, the side wall contacting leg 72, and
the top wall 46.
[0024] As in the example embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the grooves
34 can have a triangular or V-shaped cross-sectional shape.
Similarly, the rail tracks 30 can comprise a plurality of support
contact areas 32 provided by triangular or inverted-V
cross-sectionally shaped portions with slightly rounded points 32.
Water from the exterior environment that finds its way to the rail
tracks 30 will flow down into the grooves 34, where it can be
managed. For example, the grooves 34 can guide the water into the
storage housing 28, which can further guide the water out of the
truck box 11. Thus, any potential negative impact of water on the
opening and closing of the tonneau cover system 20 can be
reduced.
[0025] In some embodiments, each slat 26 of the tonneau cover 22
can include an extruded metal body 36 and end caps 40. The extruded
metal body 36 can include a central, longitudinally extending
channel 38, and the end caps 40 can be coupled to each end of the
channel 38 along each side of the slats 26. The end caps 40 can
provide the slats 26 with cooperating support surfaces 42 that
engage against respective contact areas 32 between the grooves 34
of the rail tracks 30 of the side rails 24. Thus, the slats 26 can
be supported by engagement between the contact areas or support
surfaces 32 of the rail tracks 30 and the cooperating support
surfaces 42 of the end caps 40 as the tonneau cover 22 slides along
the side rails 24 between the deployed and storage arrangements.
The grooves 34 can provide reduced sliding friction between the
contacting surfaces 32 and 42. The end caps 40 can be constructed
of a polymer material that slides relatively easily and smoothly
along the metal material of the side rails 24.
[0026] In some embodiments, each side rail 24 can include a water
retention lip 60 positioned inboard, adjacent and extending above
the rail track 30 or support surface 32. The end caps 40 can
provide cooperating support surfaces 42 that engage directly
against and slide along the support surfaces 32 of the side rails
24. The cooperating support surfaces 42 can be positioned below a
lower adjacent surface 64 of the slats 26 a distance that is
sufficient to space the lower adjacent surface 64 above the inboard
water retention lip 60. Thus, a space or gap is provided between
the water retention lip 60 and the slats 26 when the cooperating
support surfaces 42 of the slats 26 are engaged against the support
surfaces 32 of the side rails 24.
[0027] As in this example embodiment noted above, water present on
the contact areas or support surfaces 32 of the rail tracks 30 will
be reduced as a result of the longitudinal grooves 34 extending
along the rail tracks 30. Thus, any potential negative impact of
water on the opening and closing of the tonneau cover system 20 can
be essentially eliminated. For example, not only do the grooves 34
essentially eliminate water resistance to the end caps 40 of the
slats 26 sliding along the supporting surfaces 32, but also reduces
the potential for water over the water retention lip 60 into the
truck box 11 resulting from the end caps 60 sliding along the
grooved track 29. In addition, during cold weather or winter
conditions that might otherwise tend to cause accumulated excess
water on the rail tracks 30, e.g., from rain or snow, to freeze and
bind or obstruct the sliding of the end caps 40, the grooves 34
decrease water and ice accumulation; thereby reducing such binding
restricting movement of the tonneau cover 22 between open and
closed arrangements.
[0028] In some embodiments, the storage housing 28 can include left
and right storage tracks 44. These storage tracks 44 can be aligned
with respective rail tracks 30 of the side rails 24 to receive and
guide the tonneau cover 22 as it comes off the side rails 24 and
into the storage housing 28. The tracks 44 can be shaped to form
the tonneau cover 22 into a space efficient configuration within
the housing 28 when the tonneau cover 22 is in the storage
arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the
storage tracks 44 can have a generally spiral configuration.
[0029] In some embodiments, the side rails 24 can additionally
include a top wall 46 positioned a height distance above the
contact areas or support surfaces 32 of the rail track 30. The end
caps 40 of a forward slat 26 can have a corresponding height
dimension that is greater than that of the more rearward slats 26,
and that is greater than the height distance between the contact
areas or support surfaces 32 of the rail track 30 and the top wall
46. Thus, the forward end of the top wall 46 of the side rails 24
can operate as a stop against which the end cap 40 of the forward
slat 26 engages to prevent the tonneau cover 22 from moving past
the deployed arrangement without adding to the overall number of
components of the assembled system 20. In other words, the end caps
40 of a forward slat 26 can be enlarged relative to the end caps of
more rearward slats 26, to prevent the tonneau cover 22 from
sliding out of the storage track 44.
[0030] In some embodiments, the storage housing 28 can include a
side rail coupling 48 for each side rail 24. For example, the side
rail coupling 48 can be a rectangular protrusion 50 extending from
a rearwardly-facing surface 52 of the storage housing 28. The
protrusion 50 can be shaped to be received within a channel 54 of
the side rail 24 having a corresponding shape. A fastener such as
bolt 55 can extend through aligned apertures in the side rail 24
and the protrusion 50 to finalize the coupling 48 between the
storage housing 28 and the side rail 24.
[0031] In some embodiments, a clamp (not shown) can include a
coupling that rides within the channel 54, wherein the clamp can be
used to couple the side rails 24 to downwardly extending flanges of
the side walls 19 of the cargo box 11. Alternatively, the channel
54 can provide a side wall contacting leg 72 (FIG. 4) that can be
clamped against downwardly extending flanges of the side walls 19
of the cargo box 11, or the side rails 24 can include a separate
side wall contacting leg 72 (FIG. 5) that can be clamped against
downwardly extending flanges of the side walls 19 of the cargo box
11.
[0032] In some embodiments, the storage housing 28 can include
separate left and right side rail coverings 56. Each of the
separate side rail coverings 56 covers an end of the respective
side rail 24 coupled to the storage housing 28. Thus, the ability
to see any misalignment or gap at the coupling 48 between the side
rails 24 and the storage housing 28 is reduced as a result of these
separate coverings 56, without the need to provide a full cover or
top for the storage housing 28 that extends the entire distance
between the side rails 24 where they are coupled to the storage
housing 28. Thus, the forward to rear (width) dimension 66 of the
storage housing cover 58 can be reduced.
[0033] Referring to the second example embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the
slats 26 can include wheels 68 along each side that roll along the
support surfaces 32 of the side rails 24 as the tonneau cover 22 is
moved between its deployed and storage arrangements. For example,
the wheels 68 can be mounted on a threaded axle 70. The threaded
axle 70 can be coupled to the extruded metal body 36 of the slats
26 directly as illustrated. Alternatively, the threaded axle 70 can
be coupled to the extruded metal or plastic body 36 indirectly via
the end caps 40 of this embodiment.
[0034] As in the example embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the grooves 34
can have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Similarly, the rail
tracks 30 can comprise a plurality of rectangular support contact
areas or surfaces 32 provided by rectangular cross-sectionally
shaped portions. Water from the exterior environment that finds its
way to the rail tracks 30 will flow down into the grooves 34, where
it can be managed as described previously.
[0035] As in this example embodiment therefore, problematic water
will not be present on the contact areas or support surfaces 32 of
the rail tracks 30. Thus, any potential negative impact of water on
the opening and closing of the tonneau cover system 20 can be
reduced. For example, not only do the grooves 34 reduce water
resistance to the wheels 68 rolling along the supporting surfaces
32, but it reduces the possibility of the rolling wheels 68 pushing
water over the water retention lip 60 and into the truck box 11. In
addition, the grooves 34 decrease formation of ice obstructions on
the rail tracks 30 due to freezing of water; and therefore reduce
binding restricting movement of the tonneau cover 22 between the
open and closed arrangements under cold or winter conditions.
[0036] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0038] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0039] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0040] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0041] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *